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THE DIGNITY OF GOODNESS. 



DISCOURSE. 

DELIVERED AT THE FUNERAL OP 

MR. ICHABOD PEASE, 

(A MAN OF COLOR,) 

IN ST. JAMES 1 CHURCH, NEW-LONDON, 

MARCH 5th, IS 4 2. 
BY REV. ROBERT A. HALLAM, RECTOR. 



1842. 



THE DIGNITY OF GOODNESS. 



DISCOURSE, 

DELIVERED AT THE FUNERAL OF 

MR. ICHABOD PEASE, 

(a man of color,) 

IN ST. JAMES 1 CHURCH, NEW-LONDON, 

MARCH 5th, 1842. 

- 



BY REV. ROBERT A. HALL AM, RECTOR. 



NEW-LONDON, 
BOLLES & WILLIAMS, PRINTERS 

1842. 



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PROVERBS, 12 : 26. 

TJie righteous is more excellent than his neighbor. 

I should do injustice to my own feelings, and I 
may reasonably presume, to yours also, if I were to 
suffer this occasion to pass without hearing testi- 
mony to the worth of the venerable man, whose 
remains we are about to commit to the grave. 
We, doubtless, all feel, that this was a remarkable 
man ; the more remarkable, because his distinc- 
tion was of an uncommon sort, and lay purely in 
eminence of goodness. Seldom, indeed, may the 
language of unmingled eulogy be so safely and 
fittingly spoken. Here we see, how much mere 
goodness can do to make a man respectable, and 
have a proof and illustration of the dignity of virtue, 
and of the power of Christianity to exalt, ennoble 
and beautify the human character. Yes, here 
naked goodness, without the adventitious aids of 
wealth, rank, learning, distinguished talents, or 
brilliant deeds, shines in its own simple majesty 



and loveliness, and secures the regard and homage 
of all hearts. Our venerated friend had but a 
single claim to the respect of his fellows ; but that 
was better than all others, distanced them all, and 
more than supplied the want of them all. It was 
all-sufficient, entirely successful, perfectly irresist- 
ible. All who beheld him, knew that they looked 
upon a good man, and felt " how awful goodness 
is," and bowed before it with involuntary rever- 
ence. He sought no praise, he courted no atten- 
tions. He walked quietly in his own appointed 
sphere, with a modest unconsciousness of his own 
superiority, intent only on being faithful, and " do- 
ing his duty in that state of life into which it had 
pleased God to call him." Reverence came to 
him unasked and unsought — a spontaneous tribute, 
which men rendered simply because they had no 
power to withhold it, and therefore it did him no 
harm. If he had seemed desirous or vain of it, it 
would have quickly vanished ; the ground on which 
it rested would have been withdrawn ; for, " for 
men to search their own glory is not glory" — the 
seeking of the thing is the forfeiture of it. But 
humility and singleness of mind, '• simplicity and 
godly sincerity" win for themselves that which 
they seek not, and scarcely perceive or appreciate 
when it comes. The distinction to which this 
good man attained in this community thus unde- 
signedly and almost unknowingly, presented a very 
striking contrast to the eminence of anv others 



who held high place in it, or were objects of ad- 
miration, esteem and envy. It was of a purer 
quality ; and surely I do not err in saying, of alto- 
gether a more precious and enviable sort. I do 
not say, that earthly-minded men would be willing 
to give their pomp and splendor in exchange for 
it ; but I may say, that in their inmost hearts, they 
knew and felt it to be intrinsically better and a 
higher kind of greatness. Oh ! what to this un- 
bought, true, heartfelt veneration, are all the ap- 
plauses and honors that wait upon high condition, 
the wonderment of " stupid starers," and the adu- 
lation of calculating sycophants ! What to this 
full tribute, is the partial, qualified praise we mete 
out to ordinary specimens of goodness, deformed 
as they are by some wretched " superfluity of 
naughtiness," or sullied by some miserable defect 
or meanness — " a dead fly in the ointment of the 
apothecary !" How much before them all in the 
unavoidable judgment of all men, is the beauty, 
dignity and value of a well spent life, the plan of 
which is thoroughly carried out, and the parts of 
which match ; even though it be spent in the 
humblest walks and works of life, as it stands com- 
plete in the symmetry of just proportions and the 
polish of perfect workmanship. 

I have spoken of the beauty as well as the re- 
spectability of goodness. You will at once take 
my meaning, as referring in part, at least, to that 
grace, which it throws over the outward walk and 



manners — " the ornament of a meek and quiet 
spirit" which it puts upon the character ; and you, 
who remember how our good old friend was wont 
to deport himself, and who know how in him the 
outward mien was the simple fruit and expression 
of the inward sentiment, will at once admit, how 
a quick sense of what was due to all men, and a 
willingness and desire to render it, coupled with a 
spirit of humility self-respect and kindness, gave 
him that true politeness, which is equally removed 
from forwardness and servility, and made him, in 
the best sense, a christian gentleman. The right- 
eous is indeed then " more excellent than his 
neighbor," yea, more excellent than any of his 
neighbors, as he possesses an excellence of a more 
precious and exalted kind, one which extorts the 
suffrages and testimonies of all beholders. Now 
I say, that it is good for this community that such 
an instance has been in it ; that we have seen 
what goodness can do, not in theory, but in fact, 
for man; how, separated from all factitious adorn- 
ments and recommendations, it can elevate our na- 
ture, and set its possessor among princes. I say, 
it is a salutary lesson — I pray it may be an effect- 
ual and a lasting one ; and if by any thing I may 
say, I may help to fasten and enstamp it upon your 
minds, I shall be honored as a " worker together 
with him" who is gone, standing as an interpreter 
to convey to you the useful doctrine, which " he 
being dead," by me " yet speaketh." 



If it be asked, why there is this power in good- 
ness to command the reverence of men ? We 
answer, that it lies down among the deep seated 
principles of our moral constitution, in that " law 
of our mind," against which " the law of our 
members" may war, but which it can never con- 
quer. That instinctive perception which all men 
have, of moral distinctions, which forces them to 
approve the ways of virtue and holiness, however 
little they may feel inclined to follow them, begets 
a necessary respect for all, in whom " the fruit of 
good living" is consistently exhibited. There is 
an intrinsic worth and venerableness in righteous- 
ness, which the spirit of man is so constituted as 
to perceive and honor, and therefore it is not 
optional with him, whether he will treat it with 
respect or not. He is impelled to do it by an in- 
ward impulse, which he cannot overcome ; which, 
though he may stifle it for a time, is sure to have the 
mastery of him in the end. We have certain in- 
ward faculties of perception, by which we discern 
spiritual qualities and their differences ; and which 
are no more to be reasoned out of their judgments, 
than the bodily senses out of their judgments of 
form, size, color and taste. Thus goodness has an 
inalienable title to our approval and regard, with 
power to vindicate it, though it be by no other 
force but by the irresistible appeal — the moral 
compulsion of its own native worthiness. " The 
evil bow before the good j" for God, in the very 



8 

structure of the human soul, endowed the former 
with a claim to reverence, and laid the latter under 
the necessity of yielding it. 

We should do utter injustice to the truth, how- 
ever, if we left you longer in the dark as to what 
we mean by goodness. We have been speaking 
all along of religious goodness, of that virtue which 
is based upon the fear and love of God, and which 
is animated and sustained by " faith in the Lord 
Jesus Christ." Goodness was not more truly the 
secret of our venerable friend's respectability, than 
was his piety the secret of his goodness. He 
" believed in the Lord with all his heart," and 
served him with a willing and constant mind. All 
that was excellent on the surface of his character 
and life, was the flowering and fruitage of this 
seed. This " made him to differ ;" and the strength 
and perfectness of this made him eminent. This 
was just as evident to them who had intimacy of 
communication with him, as was his moral supe- 
riority to common observers. He would have 
thought that man who should have suggested to 
him his own worth as a ground of complacency 
and hope, instead of an exclusive dependence on 
the merits of Christ, his worst enemy. He thought 
not of the worthiness of his works, nor counted 
that he " had already attained ;" but " this one 
thing he did, forgetting those things which were 
behind, and reaching forth unto those things which 
were before, he pressed towards the mark for the 



prize of the high calling ol God in Christ Jesus." 
It were hard to find one who more looked upon 
things that were not seen, to whom they were 
more real and more familiar, who more lived by 
them and for them. He loved the sanctuary, and 
came there to pray as well as hear ; and nothing 
but infirmity ever kept him away when so many 
as " two or three were gathered together" there. 
He loved the church and her ways. The words 
of her liturgy were to him as household words, 
and were as manna to his mouth ; and not mor$ 
truly than his, did Eli's " heart tremble for the 
ark," or David's rejoice to do it honor. Religion 
was indeed the soul of his life, the spring and reg- 
ulator of all his conduct. Whatsoever he did, he 
" did it heartily, as to the Lord, and not to man.** 
He understood not that mistaken refinement by 
which men seek to distinguish between their com- 
mon acts and their religious doings. All his doings 
were religious, for all were done in faith and for 
God. And thus it was that he " did justly and 
loved mercy" — because he " walked humbly with 
his God." It is well that the world should under- 
stand what the tree was, whose fruits they have 
been fain to admire. No worldly morality yielded 
them ; they were the fruit of a believing, renewed 
and obedient mind. I have said these things 
boldly, because I am sure of having in every per- 
son a witness to bear me out, and a fuller testimony 
from each one in proportion to his opportunity of 
knowing. 



10 

icHABOD Pease was born in slavery, and grew 
up amidst the trials and disadvantages of that mis- 
erable system. It pleased God to provide him 
with an important alleviation of its evils, in a kind 
and pious mistress, who felt deeply and labored 
faithfully to discharge the obligation of " bringing 
him up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord." 
She taught him the catechism of her church, and 
the principal truths of the Bible, required him to 
attend public worship, and labored to imbue his 
mind with "all those things which a christian 
ought to know and believe, to his soul's health." 
To her faithful endeavors he always felt himself 
greatly indebted ; and never, to his dying day, 
ceased to speak of her with the deepest respect, 
affection and gratitude. It is pleasant thus to find 
the foundation of his subsequent excellence laid 
in early religious training, and to see in him anoth- 
er testimony to the value and efficiency of female 
co-operation in the work of God. He grew up 
with virtuous habits, and Avith such a sense of reli- 
gion as at least served to protect him against the 
temptations incident to his condition. But in early 
manhood his religious view T s assumed a deeper, 
clearer and firmer stamp. Bishop Seabury who 
was then the rector of this church, manifested a 
lively interest in him at that time, and became his 
instructor and comforter ; nor did he ever cease 
to be his friend and counsellor till his ministry here 
ended with his life. For the memorv of that dis- 



li 

tinguished man, he never ceased to cherish the 
most profound and affectionate veneration. At 
that time he devoted himself to God's service at 
this altar. How well he kept this vow, you among 
whom he has lived and acted for the more than 
sixty years which have elapsed since, walking 
before you in the beauty of his quiet, patient, faith- 
ful, modest, diligent, benevolent and holy life, 
know full well. " By patient continuance in well 
doing, he sought for glory, honor and immortality." 
The proper sequel of such a life, was a tranquil 
and peaceful death. And it was in keeping with 
it all, that it should end as it did ; and be hasten- 
ed to its termination by acts of kindness and 
philanthrophy. When reminded at the last that 
his end was near, he simply said, " I am ready ;" 
and then without a struggle, fell asleep, and was 
joined to the great congregation of " the spirits of 
just men."* 

The case we have now been looking at is full 
of useful instruction. How does it commend to 
us all, goodness ; and piety as the source of good- 
ness ; and the domestic instruction of the young, 
as the best and firmest foundation of piety, and of 
the goodness and respectability which are its 
offspring. How too, does it serve to correct our 
estimate of human life, and what is good for man 
in it ; to stamp vanity upon the petty distinctions 
of cast and grade, and all the diversities of rank 

*See Appendix. 



12 

which grow out of the artificial structure of socie- 
ty \ and exalt in our eyes a nobility of God's crea- 
ting, better and more honorable than all earthly 
greatness, from which, men have no power to debar 
their fellows by any decree of caprice, fashion or 
prejudice ; which is as free to the humblest as to 
the highest ; which he who has, may afford to de- 
spite the phantom show and glory that passeth 
away ; which heeds no bar of complexion, birth 
or property ; in which " there is neither Greek 
nor Jew, barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free." 
Oh ! brethren, how cheap and frivolous look the 
transitory glory and greatness of the world, along 
side of this true riches and honor, which he who 
has, may patiently and cheerfully bear disadvantage 
of position, and he who has not, is but a poor man 
and a mean man, whatever he or others may 
think of it. 

The people of color will permit me to say, how 
truly I feel for them in their great loss ; their loss 
of a friend, a guide, a counsellor, an example. 
Oh ! let his memory be embalmed in their hearts. 
But let them not think they have done him honor 
enough when they have grieved for him and re- 
solved to remember him. There is a better way 
to honor him ; a way which would have been 
much more pleasing to him. Let them resolve to 
be like him; to do as he did. He has shown them 
much the best and most effectual way of relieving 
themselves from the evils of their lot. They, and 



others for them, may not be able so soon as they 
could wish, to repair the mischiefs and wrongs of 
centuries. But this honored man has shown them 
how to be honorable and happy in spite of their 
disadvantages. It is clear from his case, that one 
of them may have as much of the respect and love 
of this community as any man in it. He earned it 
by being a good man, a faithful man, an exemplary 
man, a disciple and follower of the Lord Jesus 
Christ. So may they. One who, if he knows his 
own heart, is as truly their friend as any other, and 
who counts it an honor to have been the pastor of 
one of their number, would, over his sleeping re- 
mains, earnestly and affectionately advise them to 
adopt his principles, and follow his example. Let 
them fix this in their minds, that he was a christian; 
and a christian not half-way, but with all his heart. 
This was the reason of his goodness and respecta- 
bility. Up then, brethren, and be doing. Waste 
not your time in idle despondency and useless 
complaints. Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ. 
Renounce your sins. Perform your duty. " By 
patient continuance in well-doing, seek for honor," 
and God will give you your reward. 

The communicants of this congregation must 
feel that they too have sustained a loss, by the 
removal of one who was an honor and an ornament 
to them in the eyes of men, whose fidelity was 
wont to animate their zeal and reprove their faults. 



1 1 

They will feel his absence when they romp around 
<his altar to receive the emblems of their Master's 
body and blood ; where, ps he used to kneel, 
lie reminded them so touchhigly of that saying of 
the Master, " The last shall be first" They will 
hardly fail to remember him, when here they 
" bless God's holy name for all his servants depart- 
ed this life in his faith and fear, and beseech him 
to give them grace so to follow their good exam- 
ples, that with them, they may be partakers of his 
heavenly kingdom." His life and his death sol- 
emnly admonish them to be " steadfast, immov- 
able, always abounding in the work of the Lord, 
forasmuch as they know that their labor shall not 
be in vain in the Lord." 

Finally, my brethren, be all warned and admon- 
ished not to spend your strength and your time in 
the pursuit of trifles and shadows, but seek for a 
real, substantial, abiding good. Every thing is 
empty, delusive and transient but those moral 
and spiritual treasures, which survive death, and lit 
man for everlasting glory. Oh ! in your hearts ye 
know it and confess it. Act then according to your 
knowledge. " Seek first the kingdom of God and 
his righteousness." " For the world passeth away 
and the lust thereof, but he that doeth the will of 
God abideth forever." 



15 

APPENDIX. 



The statements in the text were made hastily, from loose 
recollections of conversations with the deceased, without 
opportunity to verify them by tasking the memory or making 
inquiries. Subsequent reflection has satisfied the author that 
they are somewhat inaccurate. The following sketch will 
show in what respects, and perhaps prove interesting to the 
reader. 

Iciiabod Pease was born 10th September, 1755, on Fisher's 
Island in the family of James Mumford, who was the owner 
of his parents. He was given by Mr. Mumford to his son 
Robinson, and grew up in his family. Robinson Mumford's 
wife was the kind and pious mistress spoken of in the dis- 
course. When the Revolutionary War broke out, Ichabod 
had just attained manhood, and soon after married Rose, 
servant of Capl. Robert Frowd, to whom report has given 
sufficient praise, in saying that she was '• a he]pmeet for him." 
Mr. Mumford espoused the royal cause, and at an early period 
of the war, went to North Carolina on horseback, taking 
Ichabod with him as his attendant. He subsequently conclud- 
ed to remove his family to the South. This was a sore grief 
to Ichabod, as it would separate him from his wife, and as the 
sight he had had of Southern slavery had produced no liking 
for it. He earnestly requested his master to set him at liberty, 
and Mr. Mumford with a view to appease him, flattered him 
with the prospect of freedom on his arrival in the South. 
Friendly information led him soon to distrust his master's in- 
tentions ; and he resolved to obtain his freedom by running 
away. There being a vessel in the harbor then ready for sea, 
he shipped on board of her as a hand. She sailed, but en- 
countered a storm and was forced to return to port. The 
master and crew professed to be his friends, and promised to 
aid in concealing him. With their help he came ashore se- 
cretly several times and visited his wife. But learning that 



16 

the mate had betrayed him to Mr. Mumford, and formed & 
plan to delivei^iim up, he deserted the vessel and secreted 
himself on shore. Here he was protected by his friends, and 
supported himself by making shoes, having previously learned 
the trade. After various difficulties, Mr. Mumford's removal 
from the place brought him relief and he now considered his 
liberty as secured. But he was destined to a sad disappoint- 
ment. He was taken for a debt of his master's, and became 
the property of John Deshon. By him, after having served 
him a few years, he was set free ; but he continued of choice 
in the family of his former master till Mr. Deshon's decease, 
whose descendants always cherished a strong regard for him, 
and followed him to the grave, with unfeigned respect and 
sorrow. His wife died young, and left no children ; and he 
did not marry again. Many years of Ins life, he spent in the 
employ of the late (ien. Jedediah Huntington, whom he was 
thought not a little to resemble in manner! and character, ami 
the cultivation of whose garden and grounds was his employ- 
ment and pleasure. This continued to be tho scene of his 
pleasant labors after tlip General*! death, under several suc- 
cessive owners, who looked upon him as not the least among 
the ornaments of the place, till age disabled him. 

The worship of tlw Episcopal Church was discontinued 
during the Revolutionary War. Bishop Seabury came here in 
1785. Mr. Pea^e soon after became a communicant. Hi* 
mind was impressed, it was said, by a discourse of Rev. Mr. 
(afterwards Dr.) Patten. He lived 00 with the good will and 
respect ot " all sorts and condition- of men,' to a jjood old 

a ge, and fell asleep March 3, 1842, agi d 96. 

Such as did not know the man. may think the tone of this eu- 
logy extravagant ; none will, who did : for as, while he lived, all 
felt that "the righteous was more excellent than his neighbor," 
so now all know, that ,, the memory of the just is blessed." 



54 



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